Kennesaw Work Injury Attorneys – Local Legal Help for 100 Years and Counting

There’s no minimum amount of time you have to work before you’re covered by workers’ comp in Georgia. In most cases, you’re eligible from your very first day on the job as long as you’re classified as an employee (not an independent contractor) and your employer has 3 or more employees.

That means that even if you start a job at a local grocery store on Monday and hurt your back lifting boxes that same afternoon, you still qualify for workers’ comp as long as the injury or occupational disease is work-related.

Let’s start with the basics. In Georgia, workers’ comp wage loss benefits are based on a percentage of your average weekly wage. In most cases, you receive about two-thirds of your average weekly wage (before taxes), up to a weekly maximum set by law.

Keep in mind, wage loss benefits are tax-free, so the amount workers receive is often close to their usual take-home pay.

So, what is the maximum you can get in weekly wage loss benefits in Georgia? For work injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2023, the current caps are:

• Temporary total disability – Up to $800 per week if you’re completely out of work
• Temporary partial disability – Up to $533 per week if you’re working light duty and earning less than before
• Permanent partial disability – Up to $800 per week, depending on the type and severity of the lasting impairment

So, if you were making $1,200 per week before getting hurt, two-thirds would be $800—right at the current cap for temporary total disability benefits.

Beyond wage benefits, workers’ comp can also cover other important costs like medical treatment. Medical benefits typically cover things like doctor visits, surgery, therapy, and prescriptions. In many cases, that medical care can continue as long as it’s considered necessary and related to your work injury.

You generally have 1 year to formally file a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia. This is done by filling out and submitting Form WC-14 to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. But there are other important steps you have to take before that.

First, you need to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. This can be as simple as telling a supervisor what happened, but it’s best to do it in writing so there’s a record. After that, your employer and their insurance company should start the claims process.

If things don’t move forward or your claim is denied, you may need to file a workers’ comp appeal. It’s strongly recommended that you have a local Georgia workers’ comp lawyer help you with the process to increase your chance of success.